Rand Simberg sees a lot to like in Obamas space policy. While I disagree with Simberg on his notion that there is no utility a heavy lift capability, I heartily agree that the emphasis on using commercial vehicles (like Falcon and Dragon), and focusing manned operations on techniques for orbital refueling and construction as well as asteroid missions is likely to be very beneficial in the long run. There is irony in this. The administration obviously believes in a top down big government model as the proper way to do most things. This space policy is so out of step with everything else they have proposed that it may actually be a gesture of contempt on their part. If alt-space is indeed contempt....then yay for contempt! More here.

I
disagree with the premise behind this
kerfuffle. PC is a blight upon the land. There are quite few other
reasons that the WH chief of staff should resign. He's a thug. More
importantly, he is an incompetent thug. Much of the visible failures of
this administration have been the result of poor staff work. That would
be the chief of staffs job.On the other hand I liked what I heard of the speech.